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Operative Dentistry

Dental Amalgam

(Last updated: August 13, 2014)

Dispersalloy

Megalloy EZ

(Dentsply Caulk) stocked
self-activating blue capsules (600 mg)

Description: A slower setting, admixed (mixture of lathe-cut rods and silver-copper spheres), high-copper alloy used for large restorations and foundations and when obtaining proximal contact or proper contours may be difficult.

Condensation time 3 ½ min.
Set time 4 ½ min.

(Dentsply Caulk) stocked
self-activating purple capsules (600 mg)

Description: A fast setting, spherical high-copper alloy used for small and moderate sized restorations.

Condensation time 3 min
Set time: 2 to 3 ½ min.

General trituration guidelines:
Manufacturer’s variation in amalgamators and differences in local electrical current may necessitate adjusting trituration time.
Over mixing: May result in a dry but coherent mass that sticks in the capsule, may feel hot and sets too fast, DISCARD.
Under mixing: May result in a dry and crumbly mix, DISCARD.
Ideal mixing: A cohesive plastic mass that loads easily in carrier and condenses well.

Amalgamator

Dispersalloy
Double spill (600mg)

Megalloy EZ
Double spill (600 mg)

Kerr Optimix & Automix

3800cpm 14 ±3s

4000cpm 10-13s

Caulk Promix

Turtle 14 ±3s

Rabbit 7-9s or Turtle 12-15s

Admixed alloy condensation guidelines (Dispersalloy): Use small-faced condensers to apply adequate condensation force (5 to 10 lbs.) to increments placed 1mm or less in thickness. Adequate force may cause a slight movement of the patient’s mandible or head. For all amalgams, a large condenser should be used for the overfilling of the preparation.

Spherical alloy condensation guidelines (Megalloy EZ): Require less condensation force; in general, use the largest condenser that fits in the area of interest and use both a vertical and a lateral packing technique. This may require small-faced condensers for angles and undercuts before use of larger condenser. It is somewhat more difficult to obtain good interproximal contact with spherical amalgams than with lathe-cut amalgams or admixtures.